All About Savanna Biome

There are two types of grassland biomes – tropical grassland and temperate grassland. Tropical grasslands are called savanna biomes. The savanna biome is also called savanna grassland, savanna forest biome, or tropical grassland.

It is situated between tropical forests and tropical deserts. It is found in Africa, Australia, South America, and India.

Savanna Climatic Conditions

In savanna-covered areas, a tropical wet and dry climate prevails. The average monthly temperature is 64° F or higher, and the annual precipitation ranges between 30 and 50 inches. During the dry season, the Savanna biome receives less than 4 inches of rain for at least five months of the year.

Distribution

The savanna or Sudan climate is a transitional type that is found between equatorial forests and hot deserts.
The savanna or Sudan climate is confined to the tropics and thrives in Sudan, characterized by distinct dry and wet seasons.
The name “Sudanese climate” originates from its prevalence in Sudan.
The belt extends from West African Sudan to East Africa and South Africa.
In South America, there are two distinct regions of savanna: the Lanos in the Orinoco Basin and the Campos in the Brazilian Highlands.

Natural Vegetation

Savannah landscapes consist of tall grass and small trees, forming a grassland known as “bush-weld.”
Trees in savannas are deciduous and shed their leaves during cold and dry weather to reduce water loss through transpiration.
Acacia trees, common in savannas, have wide trunks with water storage adaptations to survive prolonged droughts.
Most trees in savannas have umbrella-shaped canopies, exposing only the narrow edge to strong winds.
True savannah lands have long and stiff grass, ranging from 6 to 12 feet in height. Elephant grass can reach up to 15 feet.
During the rainy season, the grass appears green and healthy, but it turns yellow and dies in the subsequent dry season.
As the rainfall decreases towards the desert, the grassland transitions into a drier environment.

Wild Life

Thousands of animals are trapped or killed each year in savannahs, leading people to refer to them as “Big Game Country.”
The savanna is home to two main animal groups: herbivorous animals that feed on grass and carnivorous animals that prey on flesh.
Herbivorous animals found in savannahs include zebras, deer, giraffes, gazelles, and elephants.
Carnivorous animals in the savanna include lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, jaguars, and foxes.
Reptiles such as crocodiles, as well as large mammals like rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses, inhabit rivers and swamp lakes in the savanna.
People from various parts of the world engage in trapping or slaughtering animals in the savanna every year.

Farming

Inconsistent rainfall patterns can prolong droughts in savanna areas.
Political instability hinders the development of agricultural infrastructure in these regions.
Heavy rains during the rainy season lead to leaching of nitrate, phosphate, and potash.
In the dry season, extreme heat and evaporation cause a significant portion of the water to evaporate.
Consequently, many savanna areas have poor lateritic soils that cannot support high-yielding crops.

FAQs related with Savanna biomes

Ques 1. What is a Savanna biome?

Ans. The Savanna biome is a type of ecosystem characterizes by a grassy landscape with scattered trees and a distinct wet and dry season.

Ques 2. What types of animals are found in the Savanna biome?

Ans. The Savanna biome is home to a variety of large herbivores such as zebras, giraffes, elephants, and antelopes. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas also inhabit the Savanna.

Ques 3. How do plants in the Savanna biome survive the dry season?

Ans. Plants in the Savanna have adapted to survive the long periods of drought during the dry season. They often have deep root systems to access underground water, while others have thick and waxy leaves to reduce water loss. Some plants also have the ability to go dormant or shed their leaves during droughts and regenerate when the rainy season returns.